Nancy Bates Blanton

On September 16, 2023, Nancy Bates Blanton passed away peacefully at her home with her children by her side. Nancy was born Helen Katherine Curran September 25, 1927 in Baltimore, MD to Albert Aloysius and Helen McClosky Curran. Due to family circumstances, she was adopted at age 6 weeks by Louis and Margaret Bates and was raised as Nancy Lee Bates. She grew up in Chevy Chase, MD and attended Catholic schools until moving to St. Petersburg, FL in 1943 where Captain Bates had decided to retire from the Navy. There she met Air Force Lt. Eugene Talmadge Blanton and they were married on October 18, 1945 at Emory University Chapel in Atlanta, GA where “Gene" was from. Nancy's whole new life began at that time…Nancy and Gene had six children and moved all over the world with the Air Force for 30 years. Sacramento has been their home since 1977 when Gene retired from the Air Force.

Nancy was blessed with 6 children, 18 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild and many more to come! Family was always the focal point of Nancy's life and she had the great ability to make a "home" out of every place she lived, be it Japan, Germany or the USA. She was vivacious, friendly and truly cared about people. She could settle into any environment quickly and become part of the community. She loved being a military wife and was active in the Officers’ Wives Club serving on various committees to better “base living" and help newcomers adjust to the "home away from home". Volunteering with the Red Cross and doing other charity work also came along with military life. In retirement years “home” was in Sacramento and “Grandmother’s” house was central to our entire family no matter where we actually lived. Nancy loved to entertain, set fun tables, cook good food, host holidays and family events...she kept close contact with everyone in the family and instilled the importance of that in all of us. She “loved” Frank Sinatra, was a huge Tiger Woods fan, did beautiful tole painting, enjoyed her beautiful “back-garden” with pool, and was always ready for parties and fun! Through the years she managed to meet and get to know all of her Curran brothers and sisters and their children--bonded both families together in a way that we all cherish. She was a wonderful mom, and was able to live her long life to the fullest...for that we are so very thankful.

Nancy is survived by her children: Lindy McDaniel (Williamsburg, VA), Deborah King (St. Louis, MO), Lowry Blanton (Granite Bay, CA), Patti Clark (Lynbrook, NY) and Susan Newman (Cameron Park, CA). She was predeceased by Gene in 2008 and her son Bobby in 2009. Nancy will be buried with Gene at Sacramento Valley VA National Cemetery in a private ceremony. A Celebration of Life will be planned in the Springtime.